IOC publishes Zubkov ban reasoning, clear evidence

Lausanne, Switzerland (dpa) - The International Olympic Committee (IOC) on Thursday published the reasoning for a Games life ban of Russian bobsledder Alexander Zubkov who has also been deemed to have been part of the 2014 doping conspiracy.The IOC disciplinary commission noted the tampering with his samples and the presence of salt in one of them. It also said he was on the list of Russian athletes given doping sustances ahead of the Sochi Games.Zubkov was Russia‘s flag bearer at the opening ceremony in Sochi and then won double gold in the two- and four-man events of which he has now been stripped. Now president of the Russian bobsleigh federation, Zubkov has denied the allegations and is one of 22 Russians appealing IOC life bans at the Court oif Arbitration for Sport. The IOC has imposed life bans on 25 Russians and is reviewing several more cases. It published the reasoning in the case of cross-country skier Alexander legkov last week.Russia was on Tuesday suspended by the IOC in connection with the doping practices but its clean athletes are allowed to compete at the upcoming Pyeongchang Winter Games as neutral athletes without the Russian flag and anthem.